Intent

Nia Green Belt Training

About the Nia Green Belt

Green Belt is an optional training, which focuses entirely on developing and embodying the skills to effectively teach Nia. All belt levels who teach or desire to teach are strongly encouraged to attend this training.
The Nia Promise and Delivering the Nia Experience are phrases we use to express the transformative power of Nia; to a Nia Teacher's ability to deeply move and touch people within the classroom environment. As a teacher, your role is to guide people through a m

Green Belt is an optional training, which focuses entirely on developing and embodying the skills to effectively teach Nia. All belt levels who teach or desire to teach are strongly encouraged to attend this training.

The Nia Promise and Delivering the Nia Experience are phrases we use to express the transformative power of Nia; to a Nia Teacher's ability to deeply move and touch people within the classroom environment. As a teacher, your role is to guide people through a meaningful journey of physical conditioning and self-discovery. Teaching Nia is all about sharing your personal experience – your physical and emotional sensations, visual images and feelings. To do so, you must have a solid understanding of the form, objective curriculum and communication techniques.

Green Belt comprehensively explores all mechanics of delivering the work, including embodying the choreography, cueing, creating intentional silences, dancing to the music and helping people achieve their personal fitness goals. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned teacher, Green Belt will further your teaching skills. New teachers develop confidence, craft and skill by learning and practicing the foundations of teaching. Seasoned teachers refine and deepen their understanding, building on their craft and receiving feedback from peers to deliver the most powerful experience possible.

The Green Belt training includes a pre-training course based on the 13 White Belt principles. As part of the training, you will learn and work with the routine, Passion.

Meet the Trainer

I began teaching in the fitness industry in 1981. I had a passion for exercise, and teaching aquatics courses, water exercise and aerobics filled that passion. These traditional fitness practices and my unconscious movement patterning ultimately led me to exhaustion, burnout, and physical pain. In 1984, I severely injured both my knees. I had numbed myself to my body’s voice of pain and I required surgery.
In July of 1991, I was on the edge of quitting teaching. I attended the I

I began teaching in the fitness industry in 1981. I had a passion for exercise, and teaching aquatics courses, water exercise and aerobics filled that passion. These traditional fitness practices and my unconscious movement patterning ultimately led me to exhaustion, burnout, and physical pain. In 1984, I severely injured both my knees. I had numbed myself to my body’s voice of pain and I required surgery.

In July of 1991, I was on the edge of quitting teaching. I attended the IDEA Fitness Conference and I saw a sign that read, “Body, Mind, Spirit Workout.” I had not seen the word ‘spirit’ used in any other courses offered. Immediately, my curiosity drew me to take the workshop. It was a Nia workshop, and I clearly recall watching Debbie and Carlos enter the room. Every cell of my being recognized their radiance. They took the stage and did something unheard of at that time in the fitness industry – they invited us to take off our shoes. Those first barefoot seconds of conscious movement had my wounded knees saying, “Ahhhhhhh” as they experienced healing through movement. After tearfully dancing a profound healing awakening, I registered for their next White Belt Intensive. I sensed a deep knowing within myself that Nia had much to teach me. I eagerly attended the Blue, Brown, Black, and First Degree Black Belt trainings in succession.

In February of 1997, after years of practicing Nia and many hours of teaching, I was blessed with the honor of becoming a Nia Trainer. Words cannot express the infinite gifts my heart receives from the privilege of sharing the Nia Belts. I travel internationally teaching Nia, and I am passionately in love with what I am privileged to share. I sing professionally. I am a motivational keynote speaker, and a yoga teacher. On February 14, 2009, I opened Heartdance Studio - a magical space. The teachings of Nia have brought me my ability to balance all I am passionate about, and I am so very grateful.